A laboratory model for the general ocean cicrulation

1969 ◽  
Vol 265 (1168) ◽  
pp. 533-566 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Zonal Flow ◽  
Western Boundary Current ◽  
Nonlinear Regime ◽  
Electrochemical Technique ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Uniform Density ◽  
Nonlinear Behaviour ◽  
Boundary Current

A laboratory model for the study of a barotropic general ocean circulation has been constructed following the strict geometrical constraints of the B-plane approximation. Fluid is confined by plastic blocks to the volume defined by the intersection of two spherical surfaces, of common centre and slightly different radii with a circular cylinder whose axis intersects the centre of the spheres. The entire system is rotated and an interior circulation is provided by relative rotation of one of the bounding blocks. Uniform density of the rigidly enclosed fluid ensures the irrelevance of laboratory gravity and the absence of centrifugal effects on the flow. Fluid flow is observed with an electrochemical technique. Lines of coloured fluid which move with the local velocity are produced and photographed; velocities are inferred to 5% accuracy. Rossby numbers from 1.3 x 10-4 to 7.7 and Ekman numbers from 3.1 x 10-4 to 3.1 x 10-2 have been achieved. The apparatus can be oriented at an arbitrary mean latitude. The phenomena characteristic of linear subtropical gyres have been observed: a meridional Sverdrup flow, its associated zonal flow and a western boundary current. The existence, structure, and parameter dependencies of these features are in good agreement with the predictions of a general linear boundary layer analysis which has been developed for a thin barotropic ocean. The Sverdrup vorticity balance and the width and structure of the bottom frictional western boundary current have been established within the experimental uncertainties. In the nonlinear regime the position of the centre of the gyre has been measured as it migrates north-westward; a poleward eastern boundary current appears. These results agree with theoretical estimates for the onset of nonlinear behaviour. A long period time dependent flow is observed for high Rossby number. Quantitative studies have been made on an equatorial undercurrent which moves in a direction opposite to the surface forcing velocity. For low Rossby numbers this flow reverses with change in direction of the forcing velocity. In the nonlinear regime, the westward flowing undercurrent developed a streakiness and disappeared; whereas the eastward flowing current remained defined and measurable.

The ‘sliced-cylinder’ laboratory model of the wind-driven ocean circulation. Part 1. Steady forcing and topographic Rossby wave instability

1975 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Beardsley ◽  
K. Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Rossby Waves ◽  
Western Boundary Current ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Boundary Current ◽  
Topographic Rossby Waves

The nonlinear response of the ‘sliced-cylinder’ laboratory model for the wind-driven ocean circulation is re-examined here in part 1 for the case of strong steady forcing. Introduced by Pedlosky & Greenspan (1967), the model consists of a rapidly rotating right cylinder with a planar sloping bottom. The homogeneous contained fluid is driven by the slow rotation of the flat upper lid relative to the rest of the basin. Except in thin Ekman and Stewartson boundary layers on the solid surfaces of the basin, the horizontal flow in the interior and western boundary layer is constrained by the rapid rotation of the basin to be independent of depth. The model thus effectively simulates geophysical flows through the physical analogy between topographic vortex stretching in the laboratory model and the creation of relative vorticity in planetary flows by the β effect.As the forcing is increased, the flow in both the sliced-cylinder laboratory and numerical models first exhibits downstream intensification in the western boundary layer. At greater forcing, separation of the western boundary current occurs with the development of stationary topographic Rossby waves in the western boundary-layer transition regions. The observed flow ultimately becomes unstable when a critical Ekman-layer Reynolds number is exceeded. We first review and compare the experimental and numerical descriptions of this low-frequency instability, then present a simple theoretical model which successfully explains this observed instability in terms of thelocalbreakdown of the finite-amplitude topographic Rossby waves embedded in the western boundary current transition region. The inviscid stability analysis of Lorenz (1972) is extended to include viscous effects, with the consequence that dissipative processes in the sliced-cylinder problem (i.e. lateral and bottom friction) are shown to inhibit the onset of the instability until the topographic Rossby wave slope exceeds a finite critical value.

scholarly journals Midlatitude–Equatorial Dynamics of a Grounded Deep Western Boundary Current. Part I: Midlatitude Flow and the Transition to the Equatorial Region

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 2457-2469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon E. Swaters
Keyword(s):  
Bottom Topography ◽  
Zonal Flow ◽  
Ocean Basin ◽  
Equatorial Region ◽  
Western Boundary Current ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Boundary Current ◽  
Qualitative Properties ◽  
Deep Western Boundary Current ◽  
The Tropics

AbstractA comprehensive theoretical study of the nonlinear hemispheric-scale midlatitude and cross-equatorial steady-state dynamics of a grounded deep western boundary current is given. The domain considered is an idealized differentially rotating, meridionally aligned basin with zonally varying parabolic bottom topography so that the model ocean shallows on both the western and eastern sides of the basin. Away from the equator, the flow is governed by nonlinear planetary geostrophic dynamics on sloping topography in which the potential vorticity equation can be explicitly solved. As the flow enters the equatorial region, it speeds up and becomes increasingly nonlinear and passes through two distinguished inertial layers referred to as the “intermediate” and “inner” inertial equatorial boundary layers, respectively. The flow in the intermediate equatorial region is shown to accelerate and turn eastward, forming a narrow equatorial jet. The qualitative properties of the solution presented are consistent with the known dynamical characteristics of the deep western boundary currents as they flow from the midlatitudes into the tropics. The predominately zonal flow across the ocean basin in the inner equatorial region (and its exit from the equatorial region) is determined in Part II of this study.

scholarly journals THE BIFURCATION OF THE WESTERN BOUNDARY CURRENT SYSTEM OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janini Pereira ◽  
Mariela Gabioux ◽  
Martinho Marta Almeida ◽  
Mauro Cirano ◽  
Afonso M. Paiva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
South Atlantic ◽  
Western Boundary Current ◽  
South Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Intermediate Water ◽  
Boundary Current ◽  
The South

ABSTRACT. The results of two high-resolution ocean global circulation models – OGCMs (Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model – HYCOM and Ocean Circulation andClimate Advanced Modeling Project – OCCAM) are analyzed with a focus on the Western Boundary Current (WBC) system of the South Atlantic Ocean. The volumetransports are calculated for different isopycnal ranges, which represent the most important water masses present in this region. The latitude of bifurcation of the zonalflows reaching the coast, which leads to the formation of southward or northward WBC flow at different depths (or isopycnal levels) is evaluated. For the Tropical Water,bifurcation of the South Equatorial Current occurs at 13◦-15◦S, giving rise to the Brazil Current, for the South Atlantic Central Water this process occurs at 22◦S.For the Antarctic Intermediate Water, bifurcation occurs near 28◦-30◦S, giving rise to a baroclinic unstable WBC at lower latitudes with a very strong vertical shearat mid-depths. Both models give similar results that are also consistent with previous observational studies. Observations of the South Atlantic WBC system havepreviously been sparse, consequently these two independent simulations which are based on realistic high-resolution OGCMs, add confidence to the values presentedin the literature regarding flow bifurcations at the Brazilian coast.Keywords: Southwestern Atlantic circulation, water mass, OCCAM, HYCOM. RESUMO. Resultados de dois modelos globais de alta resolução (HYCOM e OCCAM) são analisados focando o sistema de Corrente de Contorno Oeste do Oceano Atlântico Sul. Os transportes de volume são calculados para diferentes níveis isopicnais que representam as principais massas de água da região. É apresentada a avaliação da latitude de bifurcação do fluxo zonal que atinge a costa, permitindo a formação dos fluxos da Corrente de Contorno Oeste para o sul e para o norte emdiferentes níveis de profundidades (ou isopicnal). Para a Água Tropical, a bifurcação da Corrente Sul Equatorial ocorre entre 13◦-15◦S, originando a Corrente do Brasil, e para a Água Central do Atlântico Sul ocorre em 22◦S. A bifurcação daÁgua Intermediária Antártica ocorre próximo de 28◦-30◦S, dando um aumento na instabilidade baroclínica da Corrente de Contorno Oeste em baixas latitudes e com um forte cisalhamento vertical em profundidades intermediárias. Ambos os modelos apresentamresultados similares e consistentes com estudos observacionais prévios. Considerando que as observações do sistema de Corrente de Contorno Oeste do Atlântico Sul são escassas, essas duas simulações independentes com modelos globais de alta resolução adicionam confiança aos valores apresentados na literatura, relacionadosaos fluxos das bifurcações na costa do Brasil.Palavras-chave: circulação do Atlântico Sudoeste, massas de água, OCCAM, HYCOM.

scholarly journals Inorganic and organic geochemical fingerprinting of sediment sources and ocean circulation on a complex continental margin (São Paulo Bight, Brazil)

Ocean Science ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Michaelovitch de Mahiques ◽  
Till Jens Jörg Hanebuth ◽  
Renata Hanae Nagai ◽  
Marcia Caruso Bícego ◽  
Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Western Boundary Current ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Boundary Current ◽  
Geochemical Fingerprinting ◽  
Brazil Current ◽  
Shelf Sediments ◽  
Upper Slope

Abstract. In this study, we use inorganic (metal) and organic (bulk and molecular) markers in sediment samples of the south-eastern Brazilian margin to investigate the response of geochemical fingerprints to the complex hydrodynamic processes present in the area. Results indicate the potential of export of terrigenous siliciclastic and organic constituents to the upper slope, even in an area with limited fluvial supply.Metal contents and especially the ln(Ti ∕ Al) and ln(Fe ∕ K) ratios make it possible to recognise the extension of shelf sediments toward the upper slope. Potassium, here expressed as ln(K ∕ Sc) and ln(K ∕ Al) ratios used as proxies of illite–kaolinite variations, proved to be an important parameter, especially because it allowed us to decipher the imprint of the northward flow of the Intermediate Western Boundary Current (IWBC) in comparison to the southward flows of the Brazil Current (BC) and Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC). Using organic matter analyses, we were able to evaluate the extent of terrestrial contributions to the outer shelf and slope, even without the presence of significant fluvial input. In addition, molecular markers signify a slight increase in the input of C4-derived plants to the slope sediments, transported from distant areas by the main alongshore boundary currents, indicating that the terrestrial fraction of the organic matter deposited on the slope has a distinct origin when compared to shelf sediments.

scholarly journals Inorganic and organic geochemical fingerprinting of sediment sources and ocean circulation on a complex continental margin (São Paulo Bight, Brazil)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Michaelovitch de Mahiques ◽  
Till Jens Jörg Hanebuth ◽  
Renata Hanae Nagai ◽  
Marcia Caruso Bícego ◽  
Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Western Boundary Current ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Boundary Current ◽  
Geochemical Fingerprinting ◽  
Brazil Current ◽  
Shelf Sediments ◽  
Upper Slope

Abstract. In this study, we use inorganic (metals) and organic (bulk and molecular) markers in sediment samples of the southeastern Brazilian margin to investigate the response of geochemical fingerprints to the complex hydrodynamic processes present in the area. Results indicate the potential of export of terrigenous siliciclastic and organic constituents to the upper slope, even in an area with limited fluvial supply. Metal contents and especially the ln(Ti/Al) and ln(Fe/K) ratios make it possible to recognize the extension of shelf sediments toward the upper slope. Potassium, here expressed as ln(K/Sc) and ln(K/Al) ratios used as proxies of illite–kaolinite variations, proved to be an important parameter, especially because it allowed us to decipher the imprint of the northward flow of the Intermediate Western Boundary Current (IWBC) in comparison to the southward flows of the Brazil Current (BC) and Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC). Using organic matter analyses, we were able to evaluate the extent of terrestrial contributions to the outer shelf and slope, even without the presence of significant fluvial input. In addition, molecular markers signify a slight increase in the input of C4-derived plants to the slope sediments, transported from distant areas by the main alongshore boundary currents, indicating that the terrestrial fraction of the organic matter deposited on the slope has a distinct origin when compared to shelf sediments.

scholarly journals Closing the Time-Varying Mass and Heat Budgets for Large Ocean Areas: The Tasman Box

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 2330-2343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Roemmich ◽  
John Gilson ◽  
Josh Willis ◽  
Philip Sutton ◽  
Ken Ridgway
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Heat Budget ◽  
Current System ◽  
Western Boundary Current ◽  
Upper Ocean ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Boundary Current

Abstract The role of oceanic advection in seasonal-to-interannual balances of mass and heat is studied using a 12-yr time series of quarterly eddy-resolving expendable bathythermograph (XBT) surveys around the perimeter of a region the authors call the Tasman Box in the southwestern Pacific. The region contains the South Pacific’s subtropical western boundary current system and associated strong mesoscale variability. Mean geostrophic transport in the warm upper ocean (temperature greater than 12°C) is about 3.8 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) southward into the box across the Brisbane, Australia–Fiji northern edge. Net outflows are 3.3 Sv eastward across the Auckland, New Zealand–Fiji edge, and 2.7 Sv southward across Sydney, Australia–Wellington, New Zealand. Mean Ekman convergence of 2.2 Sv closes the mass budget. Net water mass conversions in the upper ocean consist of inflow of waters averaging about 26°C and 35.4 psu balanced by outflow at about 18°C and 35.7 psu, and reflect the net evaporation and heat loss in the formation of South Pacific Subtropical Mode Water. The mean heat balance shows good agreement between ocean heat flux convergence (42.3 W m−2), heat loss to the atmosphere from the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis (39.2 W m−2), and heat storage calculated from data in the box interior (1.3 W m−2). On interannual time scales, volume transport through the box ranges from about 1 to 9 Sv, with heat flux convergence ranging from about 20 to 60 W m−2. An interannual balance in the heat budget of the warm layer is achieved to within about 10 W m−2 (or 6 W m−2 for the upper 100 m alone). Maxima in the advective heat flux convergence occurred in 1993, 1997, and 1999–2000, and corresponded to maxima in air–sea heat loss. The evolution of surface-layer temperature in the region is the residual of nearly equal and opposing effects of ocean heat flux convergence and air–sea exchange. Hence, ocean circulation is a key element in the interannual heat budget of the air–sea climate system in the western boundary current region.

scholarly journals Frequency-Domain Analysis of the Energy Budget in an Idealized Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 707-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paige E. Martin ◽  
Brian K. Arbic ◽  
Andrew McC. Hogg ◽  
Andrew E. Kiss ◽  
James R. Munroe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Domain ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Energy Budget ◽  
Western Boundary Current ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Intrinsic Variability ◽  
Boundary Current ◽  
Ocean Atmosphere ◽  
Atmosphere Model

AbstractClimate variability is investigated by identifying the energy sources and sinks in an idealized, coupled, ocean–atmosphere model, tuned to mimic the North Atlantic region. The spectral energy budget is calculated in the frequency domain to determine the processes that either deposit energy into or extract energy from each fluid, over time scales from one day up to 100 years. Nonlinear advection of kinetic energy is found to be the dominant source of low-frequency variability in both the ocean and the atmosphere, albeit in differing layers in each fluid. To understand the spatial patterns of the spectral energy budget, spatial maps of certain terms in the spectral energy budget are plotted, averaged over various frequency bands. These maps reveal three dynamically distinct regions: along the western boundary, the western boundary current separation, and the remainder of the domain. The western boundary current separation is found to be a preferred region to energize oceanic variability across a broad range of time scales (from monthly to decadal), while the western boundary itself acts as the dominant sink of energy in the domain at time scales longer than 50 days. This study paves the way for future work, using the same spectral methods, to address the question of forced versus intrinsic variability in a coupled climate system.

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